Tory MPs have privately criticized the government's decision to build a memorial to Muslims who died fighting for Britain in both world wars.
In messages to a Conservative MPs WhatsApp group seen by the Guardian, two Conservative MPs elected in 2019, Marco Longhi and Jill Mortimer, asked why we needed a monument to Muslims. I was wondering if that was the case. The revelations call into question the attitude of some sections of the Conservative Party towards Muslims.
Mr Mortimer and Mr Longhi are both allies of former Conservative party deputy leader Lee Anderson, who was suspended from the whip last month following comments he made about Sadiq Khan.
Mr Anderson refused to apologize, telling GB News that Islamists had “taken control” of the London mayor and that he had “ceded the capital to his allies”.
In last week's Budget, Jeremy Hunt announced that a £1 million war memorial would be built to honor Muslims who died “for freedom and democracy” during both world wars.
“Whatever your faith, color or class, this country will never forget the sacrifices you make for our future,” the prime minister said. There are already war memorials for Sikhs and Catholics.
Mr Longhi asked, responding to a message from the Treasury special adviser who announced the memorial for Muslims to a WhatsApp group of Conservative MPs. “So are monuments for all religious groups or for all religions? When soldiers die in war, they die for their country, regardless of their religion. Furthermore, why hasn't the Prime Minister announced this? I still don't understand what this has to do with fiscal policy. Please explain.”
Longhi asked in a further message to the group later that week: “Can someone on the Treasury team please explain which parts of fiscal policy relate to war memorials and how that should apply to particular religions?” I am asking about the first budget announcement. ”
Mr Mortimer told the group: [sic] The dead of World War I did it with simple dignity. It's all the same regardless of class, race, or religion. The only difference is marked by a simple symbol or inscription. I think he was right – isolating people is reinforcing divisions. ”
This comes after Mr Anderson's comments about Mr Khan and his suspension from the Conservative Party whip sparked an infighting over Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.
Mr. Longhi, a close friend of Mr. Anderson, defended his comments about Mr. Khan and said he should not apologize. Mr Longhi told the BBC last week: “I think Mr Lee is right to resolve this issue and I would like to see him rejoin the Conservative Party as soon as possible.”
A Conservative member of the centrist One Nation caucus said: “Mr Lee's dog Longi doesn't even seem to know about his own constituency, which has a significant Muslim population.” Perhaps this group of right-wing wannabes could be dangerous if they actually knew their voters, but thankfully they have plenty of time to plan their next GB News appearance at the Carlton Club. You're wasting too much time. ”
Mortimer also criticized Anderson's suspension. In a leaked message to a WhatsApp group for Conservative MPs elected in 2019, Mr Mortimer said he would never vote for the Conservatives again, citing feedback from voters: “The suspension of Lee Anderson is “This is the final nail in the coffin.”
The decision to build a memorial to Muslims who died in the World War followed a campaign by former Prime Minister Sajid Javid.
There is a war memorial in Westminster Cathedral in London that honors Catholics who died in the World Wars and the Korean War. There are monuments to Sikh soldiers in Leicester, Wolverhampton and the National Memorial Arboretum. The Chhatri Memorial near Brighton commemorates the Hindu and Sikh soldiers who died in the First World War. The African and Caribbean Soldiers Memorial is located in Windrush Square, Brixton.
An estimated 750,000 Muslims from the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and North Africa fought for Britain in the two world wars.